Share

Generally, when I return to my house after a long day of learning, I turn on my computer and peruse the Internet for a bit. When I check my clock, I usually find myself absolutely dumbfounded and perplexed as to how I had already lost the better part of my day and wonder what the heck I had been doing. You know, it actually still surprises me how that surprises me since it happens all the time. But I digress. I have recently discovered the main reason behind why I so desperately need a time-turner: web series.

Web series have been growing in popularity in the past years. The Internet has provided the means for producers to create content that they want to create without the restrictions invoked by the big studios and networks. Thus, rather than being forced to please broader audiences, the web series can appeal to smaller, more niche demographics who may feel left out in big television productions. Generally running between 3 and 10 minutes, webisodes are great for quick study breaks or for unwinding after a long day (as long as you don’t get carried away). There are a lot of wonderful web series floating around and, while I’m no expert, I thought I’d share with you a few of my favourites.

How It Should Have Ended

This series is basically how it sounds. The brilliant creators make short, animated parodies of new endings to movies both new and old. These shorts are funny and clever and outright fantastic! It’s no surprise that they won the Streamy Award for Best Animated Web Series last April. Check out their website and their Youtube page.

Husbands

The premise of a famous couple waking up in Vegas to find that they had gotten drunk-married is nothing new. But, when that couple turns out to be two gay men and that marriage turns out to be the first legal same-sex marriage sanctioned under a new marriage equity law and, things get a lot more interesting. Husbands follows athlete Brady Kelly and actor Cheeks who, after realizing a public quicky-divorce will undermine the victory, attempt to make their marriage work. I think this series is a true winner. There is great on-screen chemistry between the terrific actors, the writing is witty and the jokes are always on point. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the series is penned by the amazingly talented Jane Espenson of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Battlestar Galactica, Warehouse 13, Torchwood (the list goes on) fame! Watch it on their website or on Youtube.

Aidan 5

This is truly an original science fiction/film noir series. Set in the future, the show follows James Aidan, the fifth generation in a series of clones, who tries to disentangle the mystery behind the serial killings of his genetic brethren. The visuals are spectacular! Everything that isn’t living/breathing is hand drawn, adding an aspect of “oh my goodness this is so awesome!!” to the show. The story-telling is fantastic and the characters are compelling. It is definitely a series that will draw you in and never let go. You will crave for more. Visit their website or their Youtube page.

Awkward Embraces

This is one of those web series that you cannot stop watching. Awkward Embraces revolves around the awkward stories of the dating lives of an effervescently nerdy girl, Jessica, and her best friends, Candace and Lyndsey. This series has the perfect balance of sharp, witty writing; an amazing cast that portray believable, multidimensional characters; and storylines that are anything but cliché and predictable. It is charming, hilarious and pretty dang relatable. Check out their website or their Youtube page.

The Guild

Any list of favourite web series would be incomplete without The Guild. It was one of the first web series that I ever started watching and it never fails to entertain. The series focuses on the unemployed, slightly neurotic and truly awkward gamer Codex and her online guild, The Knights of Good, who play a WoW-like MMORPG known as “The Game.” Although the series’ core target audience is gamers, the comedy is still easily understood and appreciated. The eclectic collection of characters are wonderfully odd and quirky, challenging the hardcore gamer stereotype of the overweight neck-beared manchild. This is an endearing, amusing and crazy addictive series made of win. Also, Felicia Day and the rest of the cast are awesome (I may be just a tiny bit of a Felicia Day fangirl). Have a gander at their website or their Youtube page.

About the Author

Jenessa Tan

Jenessa is a fourth year student at UBC. She can usually be found thwarting the plans of criminal masterminds, piloting Fireflies, rocking out to Trock or baking. DFTBA

About Our Blog

Recultured.com is the first inter-collegiate blog regulated by students from several post-secondary institutions. We understand that our generation possesses a unique culture and lifestyle that only we can relate to — and that is why our entire staff is comprised of undergrad students. Recultured.com also believes that it is crucial to recognize other blogs and to foster this community of bloggers. Now is the moment to RETHINK. RECREATE. RECLAIM.